Help with setting for Alexis...

[RNgemlover]

Thought I''d start a new thread. Need help with setting Alexis: 2.09 carat oval alexandrite about 8x6mm. She has appraised at a level I never even dreamed and I am terrified of her being chipped or broken. I knew alexandrites were expensive, but I truly from the depths of my soul had no idea they were this valuable. The appraiser said he was, "EXTREMELY" conservative given the times, and was certain her value would rise in the coming years. I am still having palpitations. Keeping that in mind, I''m thinking prongs would be best. Really need some serious pro help here guys

 

[T L]

Date: 1/26/2009 10:19:11 PM
Author:shaunrice
Thought I'd start a new thread. Need help with setting Alexis: 2.09 carat oval alexandrite about 8x6mm. She has appraised at a level I never even dreamed and I am terrified of her being chipped or broken. I knew alexandrites were expensive, but I truly from the depths of my soul had no idea they were this valuable. The appraiser said he was, 'EXTREMELY' conservative given the times, and was certain her value would rise in the coming years. I am still having palpitations. Keeping that in mind, I'm thinking prongs would be best. Really need some serious pro help here guys

Platinum would be the way to go with this stone since it is the strongest of metals. I would go with an irridium alloy (stay away from nickel alloys). I know everyone will start to mention Leon, but I wonder what kind of alloy he uses. In any case, if you want it to be in a safe strong setting, than PT/IR alloy all the way.

To keep the cost down, you could do a PT/IR prongs with a gold mount.

If you want to avoid chips, set it low, or do a semi bezel. The only problem with a bezel is that it might go black on you.

Is it going to be in a man's ring?

I forget, is that a Brazilian, Indian, African or Russian stone? Just curious.

 

[RNgemlover]

I haven''t gotten an origin report. It is going in a man''s ring. And, given my level of fear I was thinking prongs would be best... I checked GIA and they don''t do origin for Alexandrite, unless I missread...

 

[ma re]

While prongs you mention would be the safest way to set this stone, they wouldn''t make one that''s the safest for wearing it. I''m with TL on the semi bezel idea, it wouldn''t just protect the stone, but would also look more masculine than most prong designs. It would be best to set it N/S, and maybe have some sort of curved metal design on the left and right of it, to protect the sides as well (to a degree) - you probably don''t understand what I mean by curved metal design, but I''m sure you and your jeweller will figure something out. And keeping the profile as low as possible goes without saying. If you, however, are keen on going with prongs, think about setting it in sort of a basin i.e. consider having the metal that surrounds the setting leveled as high as prong tips. That way the stone''s girdle won''t be exposed and the stone will be decently protected.

 

[RNgemlover]

I more than understand. I do have some mastery of the English language.

 

[ma re]

Date: 1/27/2009 10:43:01 AM
Author: shaunrice
I more than understand. I do have some mastery of the English language.

Great. People here often have problems visualizing my suggestions

 

[tlh]

gorgeous stone.

 

[T L]

When you purchased it, were you told the stone''s origin? I''m just curious because it''s nice to know where such a fine specimen came from.

If you''re really worried about it and you do intend on wearing it, I wouldn''t wear it everyday. Even though it''s a very hard material, 8.5 on the Mohs, it will be subject to more bangs and dings if you wear it everyday. I also hope that you are careful with your hands when you walk about and do things because it never fails, a ring always ends up banging on something. I''m really careful, but it''s difficult to 100% avoid those situations.

 

[ma re]

TL''s right again. If you wear something every day (at least that''s the case with me) you forget about it...untill you hit it.

 

[RNgemlover]

It was sold to me with an origin, but not a documented one. So I''m not comfortable making a statement that might be proven otherwise. I''ll have to find a place that can document it''s origin. And I agree about the everyday wear. I wear a 10.5 carat blue zircon prong set every day, and just take it off 100 times a day lol! I am of the mind that my stones are far more important than anything in daily life lol! I''m glad to have some solid suggestions for safety etc. Thanks so much guys. Any ideas where I should start searching for a setting. Someone did suggest Leon, but I found most of his items to be overpriced for what they are. I have no interest in paying a premium because of a name. Platinum does seem like the most appropriate course though.

 

[T L]

www.knoxjewelers.biz. They do custom work, and they're more affordable than Leon. Did you want to surround it with diamonds or have diamonds somewhere on the ring?

It would definitely be safe in something like this, but at the same time, light would be able to get under the stone so you would not have to worry about it going black. Instead of a pure tension settng, it could be made with grooves in the metal to accomodate the girdle of the stone.

http://www.knoxjewelers.biz/index.htm?crn=263&rn=1673&action=show_detail

 

[RNgemlover]

That setting is amazing! Thanks!

 

[LD]

Shaun - not sure where you're located in the world but have you tried AGTA or .... because I believe they include origin in their reports? Here's some info. In all honesty, I haven't used either so can't say whether they're good or not but maybe others can help?

AGTA Identification Report

An AGTA (American Gem Trade Association) report provides the usual detailed information about the dimensions, carat weight, shape, cut, and enhancements of a stone, and will also will include a photograph. The AGTA report will also comment on the lack of any heat-treatments and the corresponding increase in value for untreated stones. an AGTA report will also state the geographical origin of a stone (ie. ruby or sapphire), which can significantly affect its value (ie. Burmese ruby). AGTA does not however, use the GIAs more extensive hue scale and does not take into account the tone or saturation.

AGL Colored Stone Certificate

An AGL (American Gemological Laboratories) report also provides detailed information about the dimensions, carat weight, shape, cut, and enhancements of a stone. AGL reports also include an illustrated diagram of the stone that shows cut and clarity information. AGL uses proprietary color and clarity grading that is completely different from the GIA standard and therefor, difficult for a layperson to understand. Color grading is defined as: "Color Rating/Tone" and is graded on a scale from 1 (excellent) to 10 (poor). A numeric value for color is given under "Color Scan". The testing light source is also identified. An AGL certification also provides information on the stone's country of origin, and identifies any gem enhancements or treatments.

 

[T L]

Unless your stone is Russian, it might not be worth getting an origin report. I don''t know, what do you think LD? Is there a provenance premium attached to fine alexandrites?

 

[RNgemlover]

Will either of those organizations be able to test while the stone was in a setting?

 

[LD]

Date: 1/27/2009 8:36:55 PM
Author: tourmaline_lover
Unless your stone is Russian, it might not be worth getting an origin report. I don''t know, what do you think LD? Is there a provenance premium attached to fine alexandrites?

TL - As you correctly suspected, unless it''s Russian there''s very little premium attached to provenance and the value lies in the colour change, size and cut. Of course, if it''s Russian then there''s a premium but trying to find a Russian (authenticated Russian) stone is almost impossible nowadays.

Shaun - Very few organisations will test a gemstone in a setting so I suspect the answer is "no". If I were you, I''d focus on just making sure it''s an authentic Alex and not synthetic. The synthetic stones are incredibly good now and I bought one ages ago and was fooled by it but just had a niggling doubt that something was wrong. I sent it off to a lab and even they had to run a number of tests before they were happy to say it was a synthetic.

As TL has said, unless you believe it to be Russian (and the chances of that are remote to almost non-existant in all honesty), I would be more inclined just to put it through it''s paces and make sure you have a great Alex.

 

[RNgemlover]

It is already certified natural chrysoberyl (alexandrite) by two independent labs

Given it''s incredible color change, origin was mostly for me lol!

 

[LD]

Date: 1/28/2009 1:20:17 PM
Author: shaunrice
It is already certified natural chrysoberyl (alexandrite) by two independent labs

Given it''s incredible color change, origin was mostly for me lol!

I wouldn''t bother then Shaun. What was it sold as? From your description and the photos, my money would be on that it''s Indian. The daytime colour you describe is more Indian than Brazilian or Tanzanian - however, there''s always one that shocks and surprises!

 

[RNgemlover]

It was sold to me as a Russian alexandrite, without documentation of origin. It does not have the same inclusions as my Indian stones, but I certainly would not argue the point lol! That is why I thought an origin report would be kind of interesting.

 

[LD]

Date: 1/28/2009 10:47:19 PM
Author: shaunrice
It was sold to me as a Russian alexandrite, without documentation of origin. It does not have the same inclusions as my Indian stones, but I certainly would not argue the point lol! That is why I thought an origin report would be kind of interesting.

Aaaaaah! I understand now.

Well, I''d love to hear the outcome if you do send it off for an origin report.